Inaugural In-Person (6/21/2026) Embodied Archives: A Feminine Study Parlor
Embodied Archives is an intimate, facilitated study parlor grounded in Black Feminine Cultural Mysticism (BFCM). Each gathering convenes a small cohort to collectively examine how Black women have historically preserved, generated, and transmitted knowledge through embodiment, adornment, ritual, beauty labor, and cultivated presence—often in the absence of formal archives or institutional recognition.
The inaugural Embodied Archives will be held in person on Sunday, June 21, 2026, during Dr. Kiy’s graduation weekend, at Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.
This is an early morning gathering, held in the quiet threshold before the aquarium opens to the public. Participants will be welcomed into the space beginning at 7:55 AM, with the session starting promptly at 8:05 AM. This timing is intentional, allowing the work to unfold within a calm, undisturbed environment.
Set within a space surrounded by water, this gathering draws on water as both environment and method—engaging it as memory, condition, and movement. Participants will study within an atmosphere that reflects the very archive under consideration.
This inaugural session centers Sacred Sensuality, exploring how the body registers, interprets, and moves within lived conditions. The anchor text for this gathering is In the Wake: On Blackness and Being.
Participants are expected to complete the assigned reading prior to the event. Dr. Kiy encourages sourcing the text through local libraries whenever possible. A digital PDF copy will also be provided via follow-up email once registration closes.
Each participant will receive a physical copy of the text to take home as part of the experience.
The session integrates a multi-modal approach, including:
- close reading of curated passages
- guided discussion and interpretation
- breathwork and sensory awareness
- reflection grounded in memory and lived experience
Yoga mats will be provided, and participants are encouraged to attend in activewear or comfortable clothing that supports ease of movement and presence within the space.
What the Parlor Includes
- One live, facilitated study parlor
- Curated readings and archival materials
- A physical copy of the anchor text
- Access to The Court, a private discussion and reflection space
- Optional written reflection prompts
- Access to explore Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach at the conclusion of the session
Structure & Pricing
- Limited to 20 participants
- $222 per participant (in-person experience)
Embodied Archives is designed for shared study, not extraction or performance. Participants are invited to think together, sit with language, and develop clarity through engagement rather than conclusion.
All tickets are non-refundable.
The Parlor is a small, intentionally curated experience with limited capacity. Planning is done in advance based on confirmed attendance, including preparation of materials and coordination with the venue.
If you’re unable to attend, I ask that you still communicate in advance. While refunds are not offered, your paid seat may be extended to another guest as a scholarship.
Thank you for honoring the integrity of the space.
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